EXOD71 Moses received the Torah at Sinai and handed it down to Joshua... Pirkei Avot, Perek I mIshnah 1. The literal text reads, "Moses received the Torah from Sinai." For if the Mishnah meant "at Sinai," which is the way we usually translate it, the Hebrew form should have been b'Sinai, not miSinai. In its present construction, however, the Mishnah lends itself to the interpretation that Torah in its original Divine form at Sinai was infinite and inexhaustible. Moses received the Torah from Sinai only insofar as his finite humanity permitted him to do so. The word "from" connotes a limitation: could not take all that was there. There is, however, a sense in which Moses was assisted in his historic task by Sinai the mountain! During his first visitation at the burning bush, the Lord told Moses, "And this shall be the sign for you that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain." [this verse]. Now, it is difficult to understand how an event which is to happen in the future can serve as a sign to Moses in his present perplexity. However, what was causing Moses to hesitate was his profound humility. His modest nature shrank from the prospect of receiving a Law, admonishing and leading a people. He felt himself to be unworthy. And so the Lord discloses to Moses that "you will serve God on this mountain": the Torah is destined to be given on Sinai, which is not distinguished for its height. Carmel is more majestic, yet the Lord prefers the lowly and modest. From the Lord's choice of Sinai, Moses learned that only those who are humble in their own eyes are fit vehicles for the Divine word. Because of Sinai Moses received the Torah!